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Man Beaten by Deputies Settles With County

A 30-year-old man whose beating by San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies was caught on a NBC4 helicopter camera settled for $650,000 with the county. Tony Shin reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. (Published Wednesday, April 22, 2015)

A felon beaten by sheriff's deputies during his arrest on live chopper video, capping a pursuit on horseback through the high desert northeast of Los Angeles, has settled with San Bernardino County for $650,000.

County officials said in a statement they came to that agreement with Francis Jared Pusok over his April 9 arrest "in order to avoid litigation expenses."

"The sole purpose of this agreement for both parties is to avoid the costs involved in litigation," said board of supervisors Chairman James Ramos. "This agreement is a fair outcome for everyone involved, including the taxpayers."

In a statement, Pusok said he and his family are pleased a settlement was reached and hope the attention to this case will be a catalyst for change.

Man Beaten by Deputies Settles for $650K

A man beaten by San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies during his arrest caught on video, has settled with San Bernardino County for $650,000. Kim Baldonado reports for the NBC4 News at Noon on Tuesday, April 21, 2015.

(Published Tuesday, April 21, 2015)

"The Pusok family is happy to put this awful chapter of their lives behind them and begin the emotional and physical healing that must take place," the statement said. "This settlement is remarkable as there was essentially no investigation nor any indictments rather it is based on a video which depicts a violent and brutal attack by San Bernardino County deputies on a private citizen."

Earlier, Pusok, 30, of Apple Valley, spoke to NBC4 about his arrest that prompted an internal investigation into San Bernardino County deputies' actions and a federal civil rights probe. Ten deputies were placed on paid administrative leave after the arrest, captured on camera by NewsChopper4.

"I thought I was being beaten to death," said Pusok, who suffered wounds to his head, ribs, back, face, neck and legs. "I was wondering, 'When is it going to stop?'"

Deputies beat Pusok after he led them on a nearly three-hour pursuit that began when authorities tried to serve a warrant in an identity theft investigation Pusok's attorney said had nothing to do with him.

Pusok said he complied with deputies' orders to put his hands behind his back after he fell off the horse. He said deputies cuffed both his hands and ankles. He then expected to be questioned, he said, but "they just beat me" instead.

He said he was stunned several times with Tasers, and deputies pressed his head into the sand as he fought for air.

"They tased me again after they hit me for awhile," he said.

Afterward, he said one of the deputies who beat him walked up and whispered in his ear, "This isn't over."

Sheriff's officials declined to comment about Pusok's allegations, citing the ongoing investigation, but earlier Sheriff John McMahon said the video of the arrest appeared excessive.